Canada joins NATO allies for Arctic Shield exercise in Greenland
Canada is among the NATO countries in Greenland this month for the Arctic Shield military exercise, aimed to improve how the allies operate together in the North.
“During the exercise the soldiers will train in a broad variety of military activities under the harsh Arctic conditions,” Danish Defence said in a statement.
No one from Canada’s Department of National Defence was immediately available for comment, but Danish Defence said the Canadian personnel taking part will draw on their experience operating in Canada’s North.
“The Canadian part of Arctic Shield includes Arctic specialists who will share their experiences and knowledge of operating in an Arctic climate with their NATO allies,” it said.
The exercise will take place in two areas of Greenland.
Dutch marines will train and exercise in the fjord-system of Kangerlussuaq, a settlement north of the Arctic Circle.
Elsewhere, 400 soldiers, sailors and airforce members will train in the area around Narsarsuaq, a village in Greenland’s South.
- French infantry units
- Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Home Guard units
- Belgian drone unit
- Finnish and Danish special operation forces
- Observer team and logistical support from Germany
- observer and liaison teams from Poland and Slovenia
“Defence Command Denmark and Joint Arctic Command is supporting the activities on the ground with helicopters, ships, deployable medical support facilities and expertise and logistical support for the participating nations,” Danish Defence said.
Additional Canadian participation
Arctic Shield is part of Arctic Sentry, NATO’s military initiative launched in Feb. 2026 to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and defence in the High North.
In addition to the activities in Greenland, Canada will also participate in other northern operations taking place alongside Arctic Shield.
This includes Canadian, Danish and American fighter jets conducting air operations over Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
Arctic Shield runs from Sept.7 to 18.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian Army looking for surveillance, cargo-drop drone suppliers, including for Arctic, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland hails plan for allies to join NATO land forces in North, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia’s nuclear fleet, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: NATO’s Arctic moves pose ‘direct threat’ to Russia, foreign minister Lavrov says,The Associated Press
Sweden: Nordic-Baltic region joins forces around Sweden’s CV90, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
